Tampa Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Tampa

Wade Osborne
Wade O.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 7 months ago
Shrimp For The Win!
I always say, “Fish are Fickle.” That’s particularly true this time of year with the advent of a passing cold front every three to four days. One day the fish are active, the next day lethargic.

After a cold front, even when I take the time to catch scaled sardines before picking up my charter clients, the fish barely respond to them. Fortunately, I always stop on my way to the boat ramp and buy some live shrimp for a backup. Having those shrimp aboard usually saves the day.

At times like these, turning shrimp can...
Wade Osborne
Wade O. Tampa, Florida Reported 7 months ago
Shrimp For The Win!
I always say, “Fish are Fickle.” That’s particularly true this time of year with the advent of a passing cold front every three to four days. One day the fish are active, the next day lethargic.

After a cold front, even when I take the time to catch scaled sardines before picking up my charter clients, the fish barely respond to them. Fortunately, I always stop on my way to the boat ramp and buy some live shrimp for a backup. Having those shrimp aboard usually saves the day.

At times like these, turning shrimp can
make all the difference in the world. These hardy baits are appealing to game fish even when bait fish become scarce, dramatically increasing your chances of a successful catch.

Shrimp are known as the “Sara Lee” of baits. “Nobody doesn’t like a Sara Lee.” Snook, redfish, seatrout, sheepshead, and more love them. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Not to sound like “Bubba” from the movie Forrest Gump, but you can catch fish with live shrimp, dead shrimp, frozen shrimp, or pieces of shrimp. “That’s, that’s about it!”

Additionally, crustaceans like shrimp are not only versatile but also resilient in colder water conditions, which makes them a reliable choice when other baits fail. Their natural scent and movement attract a wide variety of species, ensuring that anglers have a dependable option throughout fluctuating water temperatures.

If you like to fish with artificials or flies, shrimp imitations are the perfect cold-weather bait.
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Ike Carrasquillo
Ike C.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 7 months ago
With Tampa Bay water temperatures dropping in the mid 60s the Sheepshead & Mullet action has been the go-to species as these fish congregate around oyster beds, Mangrove lines and any type of structure that produces food for them.
Ike Carrasquillo
Ike C. Tampa, Florida Reported 7 months ago
With Tampa Bay water temperatures dropping in the mid 60s the Sheepshead & Mullet action has been the go-to species as these fish congregate around oyster beds, Mangrove lines and any type of structure that produces food for them.
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Ike Carrasquillo
Ike C.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 7 months ago
Sheepshead and Mullet are hot right now on our Tampa bay shallow flats. We still have a few huge rays hanging out but no for long as our water temps are dropping
Ike Carrasquillo
Ike C. Tampa, Florida Reported 7 months ago
Sheepshead and Mullet are hot right now on our Tampa bay shallow flats. We still have a few huge rays hanging out but no for long as our water temps are dropping
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Scott Flinn
Scott F.
Bradenton, Florida
Reported 1 year ago
Lots of snook redfish and trout in the bay. Starting to see some tarpon show up. Offshore it's been too windy to get out there but there is Cobia and kingfish here now.
Lots of snook redfish and trout in the bay. Starting to see some tarpon show up. Offshore it's been too windy to get out there but there is Cobia and kingfish here now.
Scott Flinn
Scott F. Bradenton, Florida Reported 1 year ago
Lots of snook redfish and trout in the bay. Starting to see some tarpon show up. Offshore it's been too windy to get out there but there is Cobia and kingfish here now.
Lots of snook redfish and trout in the bay. Starting to see some tarpon show up. Offshore it's been too windy to get out there but there is Cobia and kingfish here now.
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
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Scott Flinn
Scott F.
Bradenton, Florida
Reported 1 year ago
Lots of snook redfish and trout in the bay. Starting to see some tarpon show up. Offshore it's been too windy to get out there but there is Cobia and kingfish here now.
Scott Flinn
Scott F. Bradenton, Florida Reported 1 year ago
Lots of snook redfish and trout in the bay. Starting to see some tarpon show up. Offshore it's been too windy to get out there but there is Cobia and kingfish here now.
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
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Sebastian Shindel
Sebastian S.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 1 year ago
Snook fishing has been on fire!!! Fishing docks around the evening has been the best time to hook a big one👍🏼
Sebastian Shindel
Sebastian S. Tampa, Florida Reported 1 year ago
Snook fishing has been on fire!!! Fishing docks around the evening has been the best time to hook a big one👍🏼
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Ashley Beall
Ashley B.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 1 year ago
Recent trips have produced some quality snook and trout, and some Spanish mackerel are showing up also. We have been using artificial lures and live bait and doing very well. There are also some big redfish and huge snook cruising around the mangroves right now.
Ashley Beall
Ashley B. Tampa, Florida Reported 1 year ago
Recent trips have produced some quality snook and trout, and some Spanish mackerel are showing up also. We have been using artificial lures and live bait and doing very well. There are also some big redfish and huge snook cruising around the mangroves right now.
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Nick Kuhn
Nick K.
Bradenton, Florida
Reported 1 year ago
Tons of snook, redfish, and trout. Fishing has been great in between these cold fronts. The drag-screaming kingfish should be showing up right around the corner! Tarpon season will be coming quick!
Nick Kuhn
Nick K. Bradenton, Florida Reported 1 year ago
Tons of snook, redfish, and trout. Fishing has been great in between these cold fronts. The drag-screaming kingfish should be showing up right around the corner! Tarpon season will be coming quick!
Snook Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Snook Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Snook Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Snook Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Snook Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Snook Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Snook Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Snook Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Snook Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Snook Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
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Scott Flinn
Scott F.
Bradenton, Florida
Reported 1 year ago
Snook season is open.
Scott Flinn
Scott F. Bradenton, Florida Reported 1 year ago
Snook season is open.
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
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Scott Flinn
Scott F.
Bradenton, Florida
Reported 1 year ago
We are getting a pretty good mix of trout redfish and snook.
Scott Flinn
Scott F. Bradenton, Florida Reported 1 year ago
We are getting a pretty good mix of trout redfish and snook.
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
Fishing in Bradenton, Florida
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